A serve-and-volley player has to make a decision in a fraction of a second: after striking the serve, move forward and take the net—or stay back and prepare for the return. The best players make that first choice feel inevitable, using a varied serve and quick footwork to turn a point into a close-range contest before their opponent can settle.
Serve-and-volley tennis is less common than it once was, but it remains one of the sport’s most distinctive styles. Here’s what it involves, which players made it famous, and why it can still work on today’s courts.
What is serve-and-volley tennis?
A serve-and-volley player moves toward the net immediately after serving, hoping to finish the point with a volley or overhead. The returner has little time to aim, and the server can take away angles by getting close to the net. The approach is most often used on a first serve, but skilled players may also follow a second serve forward when they catch their opponent off guard.
It isn’t simply a rush to the net. The server needs to place the serve where it makes the return harder, move through the court efficiently, and split-step as the opponent strikes the ball. Arriving too early can leave the player exposed to a passing shot; arriving too late can mean facing the return from an awkward position.
There are different versions of the style. Some players serve-and-volley almost every time, while others use it selectively—to surprise an opponent, change the rhythm, or take advantage of a weak return. A player might also approach behind a groundstroke during a rally, but that is a broader net-attacking tactic rather than serve-and-volley specifically.
Famous serve-and-volley players
The style has produced champions with very different personalities and techniques. Some built their games around relentless pressure; others used it as one option in a more varied attack.
| Player | What made the approach effective |
|---|---|
| John McEnroe | Exceptional touch, anticipation, and ability to disguise the first volley |
| Stefan Edberg | A reliable serve, fluid movement forward, and precise volleys on both sides |
| Pete Sampras | A powerful, accurate serve that often produced a short or defensive return |
| Patrick Rafter | Relentless net pressure, athletic recovery, and strong instincts in close exchanges |
| Martina Navratilova | Left-handed serving, aggressive court positioning, and confident net play |
| Maxime Cressy | A modern, unusually frequent serve-and-volley approach on the men’s tour |
The classic attackers
McEnroe was famous for making difficult volleys look effortless. He often took the ball early and could redirect it with little backswing, leaving opponents unsure whether he would play softly into the open court or punch the ball past them. His success depended not just on reaching the net, but on reading the return and choosing the right touch.
Edberg was a model of balance and technique. His first volley was often the key: rather than trying to end every point immediately, he used it to angle the ball away and create an easy second volley. Sampras, by contrast, could use his serve to do much of the work. If the return came back weakly, he was already in position to attack it.
Rafter brought a different kind of intensity. He was prepared to keep pressing even when the first volley did not finish the point, and his athleticism helped him recover when opponents found a pass. Navratilova was one of the most successful women to build an attacking game around the net, pairing her left-handed serve with sharp movement and confident volleying.
The style today
Serve-and-volleying is now usually a change-up rather than the default for top players. Many opponents return with heavy pace and can hit passing shots from well behind the baseline. Modern strings also make it easier to generate spin and dip the ball at an approaching player’s feet.
Still, players such as Maxime Cressy have shown that frequent net attacks can remain a viable identity, especially when backed by a strong serve and decisive movement. Many other players—including all-court stars—use the tactic selectively. The important distinction is that a player who sometimes follows a serve to the net is not necessarily a serve-and-volley specialist.
Why the tactic works—and when it doesn’t
The biggest advantage is time pressure. A returner must make a quick decision and hit a passing shot into a smaller target while the server closes the distance. Even a return that lands in the court may be easy to volley if it lacks pace or depth. The server can also take away the returner’s preferred patterns by mixing placement and direction.
The tactic is especially useful when a player’s serve is strong, the opponent struggles with low volleys, or the court rewards a fast approach. Grass has traditionally suited net attackers because the ball tends to stay low and points can develop quickly. But surface alone does not decide the matchup: a player who returns well or passes accurately can punish predictable approaches anywhere.
Serve-and-volleying becomes risky when the serve is too easy to attack or the approach path is obvious. A returner who sees the same wide serve and predictable move forward can aim behind the server or hit a dipping shot at the feet. Repeated attacks also demand excellent conditioning and concentration. One poor first volley can turn a promising position into a scramble.
What makes a good serve-and-volley player?
- A varied serve: Placement and disguise matter as much as raw speed. A wide serve can pull the returner off court; a serve into the body can jam them and limit their swing.
- Efficient movement: The server needs to land, move forward, and split-step under control. Charging blindly is less useful than arriving balanced.
- A dependable first volley: The first volley often has to be played from around the service line. Direction and depth are usually safer goals than trying for a winner.
- Good anticipation: Reading the returner’s racket, body position, and likely options helps the volleyer choose where to move.
- Patience at the net: Not every volley ends the point. Strong net players stay alert for a second shot and avoid reaching for a low-percentage winner.
How to use serve-and-volley tactics in your own game
Recreational players can benefit from the tactic without adopting it on every point. Start with a serve you can place reliably, then follow it in during practice. Ask a partner to return to different areas of the court, and focus on split-stepping as they make contact. The goal is to arrive ready to react, not merely to reach the net quickly.
Try it first against a returner who tends to block the ball back or stand far behind the baseline. Mix up the serve location, and aim the first volley toward open space or deep through the middle. If your opponent starts passing you comfortably, change the pattern: stay back, use a different serve, or approach behind a stronger groundstroke instead.
Serve-and-volleying also works well as a surprise. One unexpected rush can make an opponent hesitate on the next return, even if you return to baseline play afterward. The threat of the approach can be useful in itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the greatest serve-and-volley player?
There is no single answer. McEnroe, Edberg, and Sampras are among the most celebrated men’s players associated with the style, while Navratilova is a leading example in the women’s game. Their strengths differed, so the choice depends on whether you value touch, technique, serving power, or sustained pressure.
Is serve-and-volley still effective?
Yes, especially when used selectively and supported by a good serve. It is harder to rely on constantly against strong modern returners, but changing the rhythm and making an opponent hit under pressure can still create valuable points.
Which surface is best for serve-and-volley?
Grass has traditionally favored the tactic because points can move quickly and the bounce is often low. However, the quality of the serve, the opponent’s returning ability, and a player’s skill at the net all matter. A capable volleyer can use the tactic on any surface.
Should beginners try serve-and-volley?
Yes, as a practice option. It helps develop footwork, volleys, anticipation, and comfort moving forward. Beginners should start with controlled serves and focus on reaching the net balanced rather than trying to win every point with a spectacular volley.
Final Thoughts
Serve-and-volley tennis is built on more than speed toward the net. It combines a well-placed serve, a controlled approach, quick judgment, and the confidence to play another volley if the first one does not finish the point. The style may be less dominant than it once was, but its central idea remains useful: take time away from the opponent, make them hit under pressure, and be ready to finish the point up close.
